The rucksack slumps in Kits' lap, its buckle catching the light. Winking at me.

Uh-oh. The tension in this story, not just of the story of the climb but between the characters is superbly maintained, and now we have another clue to the why Stephen is feeling anxiety and dread. Or do we?

Paver mentioned Poe in one of the dialogues between Stephen and his brother and, apart from the obvious acknowledgement in their dialogue and the gorak (a raven-like bird) stalking the expedition, there are also some similarities in style.